Weekly Initial Unemployment Claims increase to 257,000, Lowest 4-Week Average since 1973

The DOL reported:

In the week ending April 23, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 257,000, an increase of 9,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 247,000 to 248,000. The 4-week moving average was 256,000, a decrease of 4,750 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since December 8, 1973 when it was 252,250. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 260,500 to 260,750.

There were no special factors impacting this week's initial claims. This marks 60 consecutive weeks of initial claims below 300,000, the longest streak since 1973.

The previous week was revised up by 1,000.

Note: The following graph shows the 4-week moving average of weekly claims since 1971.

Click on graph for larger image.


The dashed line on the graph is the current 4-week average. The four-week average of weekly unemployment claims decreased to 256,000.

This is the lowest level for the four-week average since 1973.

This was below the consensus forecast of 260,000. The low level of the 4-week average suggests few layoffs.

from
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